Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Equipment
- 1 pot
- 1 skillet
Ingredients
FOR THE PASTA:
- 12 ounces dry whole-wheat fettuccine or pappardelle, cooked according to the directions on the package and drained (NOTE: Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water to use later before draining)
FOR THE SHRIMP:
- 1 ½ pound large shrimp thawed, peeled, and deveined
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ lemon
FOR THE CREAMY SAUCE:
- 1 ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 1 8-ounce package of cream cheese, cubed or cut into chunks
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups whole milk plus the ½ cup reserved pasta water, or half-and-half
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
GARNISH:
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley to sprinkle on top
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions, or until al dente. Right before draining, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water. Then, drain the pasta and set it aside!
- While the pasta is cooking, pat the shrimp dry very well with a paper towel and season it with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add the 2 tablespoons of olive oil and cook the shrimp for about 3-4 minutes, stirring often, or until it has just turned pink on both sides with an open C shape. If needed, cook the shrimp in 2 batches! Transfer the shrimp to a plate, squeeze the lemon juice over, and reserve.
- Using the same skillet, add 1 ½ tablespoon of olive oil and cook the minced garlic over medium heat, stirring often, for about 1 minute. Do not let it brown!
- Add the cream cheese and Italian seasoning. Whisk to smooth and slowly pour in the milk while continuing to whisk. Whisk in the reserved pasta water!
- Then stir in the Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses and the pepper until combined. Let the sauce cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, until it gets bubbly and thickens enough.
- Remove from the heat and toss the cooked pasta into the sauce until evenly coated.
- Distribute the shrimp on top of the pasta and sprinkle chopped parsley on top. Serve our Cajun shrimp pasta right away!
- If you want, add steamed peas, sautéed chopped red bell peppers, or halved grape tomatoes and olives.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
** Nutrition labels on easyanddelish.com are for educational purposes only. This info is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate, since the nutrition content of recipes can vary based on ingredient brand or source, portion sizes, recipe changes/variations, and other factors. We suggest making your own calculations using your preferred calculator, based on which ingredients you use, or consulting with a registered dietitian to determine nutritional values more precisely.
Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.